Preparation  Preparing for an interview is the most important part (and most commonly overlooked)  Even if you’re interviewing for several positions in the same company or industry, prepare for each one individually  Tweak your resume to fit every job you’re applying for

Self-Analysis  Ask yourself some important questions  Who am I?  What are my goals?  How will I reach my goals?  Why do I want this job?  Why am I qualified  What are my strengths? Weaknesses?

Interview Attire  Dress conservatively! Don’t wear flashy or gaudy clothing  Try to keep a professional image

Men’s Attire  A dark suit is ideal. Suitable colors include blue, gray, and dark brown.  A neatly ironed long sleeve shirt should be worn. White is a good, safe color to choose  Make sure socks match outfit. Shoes should be formal black/brown shoes.  Shave before the interview. Make sure hair looks presentable

Women’s Attire  A conservative dress or knee length skirt is preferable.  Hose should not be darker than the skirt. Bring an extra pair just in case  Wear simple, tasteful jewelry  Close toed shoes that match the outfit should be worn. High heels should be avoided  Keep long hair pulled up, away from face

Other Clothing Notes  Be sure to take out any extraneous piercings. Women can wear a pair of simple, tasteful earrings  Make sure any tattoos are covered fulled.

Job Research  Make sure you completely understand what the company does and also what your job entails  Read up on the history of the company as well as its current state in the market  If possible, find out information about the person who is interviewing you (name, position, etc)

Other Importants Notes  Make sure to use the bathroom before you go into the interview  Turn off your cell phone before you start. If you forget and it rings during the interview, don’t answer it  Make sure to set your facebook or blog to ‘private’

The Interview Location  Usually held in a quiet room with little to no chance of distractions  Location often a reflection of the company and position  Sometimes will have more than one interviewers

Interviewing in a Foreign Country  Make sure that you know any local customs or traditions that might affect your interview  Do some research into body language in the cultures; some have a lot, some have very little  Find out if religion might affect your chances of getting the job  Research the attitudes towards the different sexes in the country

Before the Interview  Arrive at the interview at least minutes early  Try to relax before you go in  Bring an extra copy of your resume  Bring a notepad and pen to take notes

Introduction  Look the interviewer in the eye when he meets you and give a firm handshake  The interviewer may try to make small talk to break the tension. Remember to remain polite and professional  Start off confident right from the beginning

Answering Questions  Answer questions fully, but don’t babble  Be confident with your answers. Avoid phrases like “Maybe…” or “Possibly…”  If you don’t know an answer, don’t pretend that you do  Don’t make jokes, don’t flirt, don’t badmouth previous employers

Answering Questions (cont’d)  Focus on positive aspects of previous jobs  Do not belittle yourself or previous coworkers/employers  Avoid answering with just “yes” or “no”  Feel free to ask follow-up questions to the interviewer  Be passionate! (but not crazy)

Some example questions  What are your career plans?  Why are you interested in this organization?  How did you choose your major and this university?  Tell me about yourself.  With what other employers do you plan to interview?  What are your greatest strengths? What are your chief weaknesses?

Questions that you can ask  What are the day-to-day responsibilities of this job?  To whom would I report? Under whose supervision would I be assigned?  Would I be responsible for supervising other staff? If so, how many and what positions?

Body Language  Try not to touch your face or hair  Maintain eye contact with interviewer for the entire length of the interview  Be friendly and enthusiastic  Sit up straight in your chair

Interviewing in a Foreign Language  Avoid using overly overly formal “book” language  Avoid any slang you might have learned, no matter how comfortable you are with it  If you do not understand a question, do not pretend to know the answer  Make sure that you can pronounce the interviewer’s name correctly

Some “Don’t do” ’s  Don’t ask about salary unless first brought up by the interviewer  Don’t sit down until asked (its more polite)  Don’t chew gum or smoke  Don’t use flattery  Don’t interrupt the interviewer  Don’t drink alcohol if the interview is during a meal

After the interview  Do not linger after the interview  Ask if there’s anything else the interviewer wants to know  Thank the interviewer for his time  Be sure to send a ‘thank you’ note as a follow- up to the interview

How to Improve your Interview Skills  Practice with a friend  Videotape yourself doing a mock-interview  Go on the internet  Read books about interviewing Interviewing is an art, not a science. The best way to improve is to have experience.